A man just commented on that article about Ravi Zacharias and the abuse investigation against him and asked why the church is so eager to expose sin. That one question perfectly sums up the problem with the American evangelical church’s stance on abuse.

Why are people so quick to defend and protect abusers? I understand the sadness and shock in realizing someone you put faith in turned out to be a vile human being, but the American church is consistently eager to play devil’s advocate for people who have ruined so many lives.

He traumatized and assaulted 4 women that we know of, and potentially more. He drove one of them away from church all together. He forever altered their lives. Why is that something we are so quick to slap a bandaid over? It’s not a small scratch, it’s a festering wound.

I’m so beyond sick of seeing people just chalk this up to being a sin issue we need to forgive while completely bypassing the pain and hurt felt by the survivors. I can’t imagine how these women feel watching him still be defended even in death.

You don’t forget the abuse, but you also never forget those who didn’t believe you or defend you. Stop saying “well what about forgiveness? What about mercy?” and start saying “what about the survivors? What about the responsibility the Church has in this?”

This is a horrible, sickening problem whose roots spread deep in the American church and nothing will change until we name it for what it is.